The Ravens' Demise

Good. Finally. After a number of years of sub par performance, either due to personnel or coaching, Matt Cavanaugh might be gone.

Granted, he's been a bit hamstrung due to a lack of talent... but calling 6 pass plays in a row to start a game (during differnet series, of course, since both result in 3 and out) when you have one of the top running backs in the game, and, frankly, a couple of fantastic backup running backs, is just stupid. My dog could do a better job, and she hates football.

There is a second issue, though. It's far more difficult to fix, too. The players gave up. They quit. You might say it started with the loss in New England where they didn't seem to show up for the game, or maybe the following game where they blew a 24 point lead in the 4th quarter to Cincinatti (Cincinatti!?!). The reason for that wasn't bad play calling, it was bad play. They quit, especially the defense.

I happen to think the problems were evident in the first game of the season, a 20-3 loss in Cleveland where it appeared the Ravens didn't show up ready to play. Sure, they can blame the injuries, but they went 7-3 hurt, then went 1-4 healthy.

I'm not sure we'll have to worry about all the other teams that have to lose for the Ravens to get in the playoffs. I'm not sure they'll beat Miami. I think plenty of them are already in the off season.

I guess there's always next year.